Caleb Valenzuela's progression thread - Road to 3x3 world champion/NR holder // championship grind apparently is starting again

What should I learn next?

  • Total voters
    13
  • Poll closed .
I did another cross+2 session
Generated By csTimer on 2026-03-10 (solving from 2026-03-09 16:06:50 to 2026-03-10 11:49:13)
solves/total: 20/20

single
best: 0.01
worst: 1.00

mean of 3
current: 0.01 (σ = 0.00)
best: 0.01 (σ = 0.00)

avg of 5
current: 0.34 (σ = 0.57)
best: 0.34 (σ = 0.57)

avg of 12
current: 0.60 (σ = 0.51)
best: 0.60 (σ = 0.51)

Average: 0.62 (σ = 0.50)
Mean: 0.60

Time List:
1. 1.00 L B D2 L' F' B2 D' L2 B R U2 R U2 B2 U2 R' D2 L2 F2 @2026-03-09 16:06:50
2. 1.00 F2 U' R2 F2 U F2 D' L2 F2 D R2 F' L2 D' B2 R2 U B @2026-03-09 16:09:20
3. 0.01 R' D' L2 U2 B2 L2 U2 B2 L2 D2 U B2 U B R' F2 L2 B2 D B2 D2 @2026-03-09 16:10:03
4. 1.00 F D R' D2 B2 D L D' F' R' U2 D2 R D2 L2 U2 B2 U2 R' F2 L2 @2026-03-09 16:46:39
5. 0.01 B2 R2 B2 U' L2 D' F2 U2 B2 L2 D F U2 R2 U2 R B' U' F' R2 @2026-03-09 16:48:28
6. 1.00 F B2 R F' R F2 U R2 F2 B D2 B' R2 F2 L2 U2 F' L2 D2 L @2026-03-09 16:49:34
7. 0.01 R' F' L D' L' F2 D2 F R2 L2 U' R2 B2 U2 F2 L2 U R2 D' F' @2026-03-09 16:52:41
8. 1.00 D2 L2 D2 R2 B2 D U L2 U B D L' F D U F2 R B' D' @2026-03-09 16:54:24
9. 1.00 B' U R2 U2 B2 R' F U' B L B2 D2 F2 B2 L' F2 U2 R' B2 D2 R2 @2026-03-09 16:54:59
10. 0.01 F' L' F B' R' L2 D R2 U L' B2 U2 R B2 D2 F2 U2 L2 U2 L B2 @2026-03-09 16:58:21
11. 1.00 F D' F2 D L2 D L2 D2 F2 U L2 F2 B D2 F' R' U R2 B U @2026-03-09 17:00:33
12. 0.01 U2 L' R2 D F2 L2 D' L2 R2 U2 R2 U' B2 D B R' F' L F U2 F' @2026-03-09 17:01:33
13. 1.00 U' L2 D' R2 U2 F2 L2 F2 R2 D' B2 U' L' F' U2 L' F' R D2 L' R2 @2026-03-09 17:02:20
14. 1.00 B2 L' U B' U D2 F D' F U2 D2 F2 D2 L F2 L' U2 D2 L' F2 @2026-03-09 17:02:54
15. 1.00 B2 U' B2 R B L' B2 R' U' L2 B' D2 F' B' U2 L2 D2 R2 @2026-03-10 11:43:21
16. 1.00 L' F U2 F L2 B2 F L2 F' U2 F' L' U' B2 D U2 R2 B' L @2026-03-10 11:44:52
17. 1.00 D R2 U R2 U L2 D R2 D L2 F2 U2 B R U F2 L2 U' L2 R D2 @2026-03-10 11:46:53
18. 0.01 B2 U2 R' B2 R' B2 F2 U2 R F2 U2 B D B' R2 F D L2 B2 R' D @2026-03-10 11:47:30
19. 0.01 F' B' U' R L' B' U' F R U2 D2 L F2 L2 F2 D2 F2 R U @2026-03-10 11:48:05
20. 0.01 R' U L2 B2 D L2 U2 F2 R2 B2 R2 B U' R' U2 B D B2 R F' @2026-03-10 11:49:13

so now I have a 60% success rate out of 20 solves
 
good consistency
Generated By csTimer on 2026-03-10 (solving from 2026-03-10 17:27:03 to 2026-03-10 17:42:29)
avg of 5: 5.96

Time List:
1. 5.99 R B2 R B2 R' B2 D2 F2 R D2 R2 B L' B L' R F' D' B2 F @2026-03-10 17:27:03
2. (5.53) R2 U2 B D2 F' U2 F U2 L2 B2 F D' R2 U' R' D U2 B' D' L' B @2026-03-10 17:27:49
3. 5.98 F2 D' L F' U D R U F2 B2 U2 F2 U F2 L2 U2 R2 L2 D' B D @2026-03-10 17:38:48
4. (6.22) D' B R' F2 D2 B L' F2 L2 U' B2 U2 D F2 B2 R2 U' D2 B L @2026-03-10 17:40:44
5. 5.90 F U B2 U L2 U2 L2 D2 F2 U B2 U' R2 F D B' L B2 F' U R' @2026-03-10 17:42:29
 
wow
Generated By csTimer on 2026-03-15 (solving from 2026-03-14 14:53:54 to 2026-03-15 18:23:52)
avg of 12: 6.43

Time List:
1. 6.55 R' B2 U2 R2 D2 L F2 U2 L' B2 D2 R2 D R2 U' L2 R F' D U2 L @2026-03-14 14:53:54
2. (5.92) D B2 L2 U' R2 F2 L2 U F2 U' R2 D2 F' L U' B' D U B D2 F' @2026-03-14 14:58:52
3. 6.84 R' U' R' F D' F U2 R' D' B2 R2 B2 D F2 B2 R2 U' R2 D' L2 F @2026-03-14 14:59:44
4. 6.17 B2 R2 F' U L U2 D2 R L2 U2 L2 U' L2 D' F2 L2 D' F2 @2026-03-14 15:01:16
5. 6.60 U' F L2 D L U L2 B R2 B2 R2 D2 R2 U B2 D F2 B2 L2 F @2026-03-14 15:02:40
6. (7.12) L2 U' F2 L2 D R2 D R2 U2 B2 R2 F U' B2 L2 R D' B2 D2 U R @2026-03-15 18:13:38
7. 6.35 F2 L' D F2 U R2 D2 B2 R2 D L2 R' B D B2 R' D2 B F' @2026-03-15 18:15:36
8. 5.97 L' B' D' L2 U' L2 F2 L2 U F2 U2 L2 U2 R2 F' U L' B2 D' B2 R' @2026-03-15 18:17:40
9. 6.38 U2 L R2 B2 L2 D' F2 U F2 R2 D' L2 D2 L F' U B U' L' U R @2026-03-15 18:17:56
10. 6.88 F' D2 L' B2 D2 L2 B2 R' U2 L2 U2 F2 R' F U R F D' L B L2 @2026-03-15 18:19:39
11. 6.46 U' B U F' L2 U' D' L B U2 D2 R2 U2 F2 B' R' @2026-03-15 18:21:16
12. 6.05 D2 R' D' F2 D2 U' L2 B2 U F2 U' R2 B2 F2 L R2 D' L2 B D' B' @2026-03-15 18:23:52
jeffery chen made me realize that my fluidity is kinda trash so I was thinking of doing slow solves but then I thought “wait doing cross+2 counts as improving fluidity so I guess I’ll just do that”
3x3 is starting to get a bit boring so I did some work on my 4x4 method
also I got this on 2x2💀
Generated By csTimer on 2026-03-15 (solving from 2026-03-14 15:35:53 to 2026-03-14 15:37:27)
avg of 5: 1.37

Time List:
1. 1.34 F' R' F R' F2 R U' F U2 @2026-03-14 15:35:53
2. 1.43 U F' U' F2 R2 U R' F R' @2026-03-14 15:36:30
3. (1.27) F2 U R2 F' U' F2 U' R2 U2 @2026-03-14 15:36:57
4. (1.79) F' R2 U R U2 R F R2 U @2026-03-14 15:37:12
5. 1.33 U2 F R U2 F' R F2 U' R' @2026-03-14 15:37:27
 
here’s some of the puzzles I’m thinking of potentially getting when I get a chance:
MoYu Aosu V7 Double-Track
Pros:
- It’s one of the few WCA events I actually do
- If I get this 4x4 my times will probably improve by like 3 seconds
- I will actually enjoy doing 4x4
Cons:
- It’s not a new event
YJ MGC Square-1
Pros:
- It’s a new event
- It doesn’t take too long to solve compared to 4x4
- It will finally solve my curiosity on what solving a squan feels like (it looks so cool from the vids)
- If I end up liking squan not only will I have a good cube to start with I can also try and go for NR average
Cons:
- I might not end up liking the event
MoYu Aochuang V6 Single Track or the QiYi Warrior 5x5 M
Pros:
- I will finally have another big cube
- I can try and create a CVOB5 method with 5x5
Cons:
- It’s probably gonna take a while to solve
- It might be a pain to practice on (because it’s a big cube)

those are the top three, the others are cubes like FTO, and Clock (none of those are cubes💀)
 
YES LET’S GO SUB-5.5
Generated By csTimer on 2026-03-18 (solving from 2026-03-17 18:18:13 to 2026-03-18 18:33:55)
avg of 5: 5.48

Time List:
1. (5.78) U F2 R U L2 F2 D L2 D2 B2 L2 D L2 U2 B R B' F' L D R' @2026-03-17 18:18:13
2. (5.15) F' B2 U2 F2 R' D2 L B2 U2 R2 D' R2 D' B' U R B2 D2 @2026-03-18 18:29:55
3. 5.42 U L' D' B2 F2 U' B2 D B2 L2 D F2 R2 U' L' B2 D' L B D B2 @2026-03-18 18:30:29
4. 5.70 D' R2 D R2 U2 L2 B2 U' B2 L2 F' L2 B L' U B' F' L B2 D @2026-03-18 18:32:31
5. 5.32 R2 D L' D' L2 D R2 U' R2 U' F2 D R2 U F' L D B R2 D2 R' @2026-03-18 18:33:55
 
The organizers in my region usually announce their comps a month before the actual date of the comp, so if they will host a summer open comp (which will most likely be in early May), they’ll announce it in early April, which means a competition should be announced soon! But if they decide to host a comp in June instead, they’ll probably announce it in May.
The problem is: i’ve only been grinding 3x3 for like the past few months😭💀 I really need to start practicing 2x2, since if i practice enough i could get NR average. I’ve started practicing OH more though, i’m trying to get sub-15 with APB. Honestly it’s been going pretty well so far, the only problem is some of my solutions end up being 60+ moves even though i have a 15-18 move 223. I’m guessing it could be my BR pair solutions or my LXS solutions since i do both intuitively. As for 4x4, i’ll try to practice more, but i might get annoyed just because my MGC 4x4 is trash. anyway i also got a 5.71 3x3 ao12 which i’ll post here later.
 
Generated By csTimer on 2026-03-20 (solving from 2026-03-17 18:18:13 to 2026-03-19 18:27:33)
avg of 12: 5.71

Time List:
1. 5.78 U F2 R U L2 F2 D L2 D2 B2 L2 D L2 U2 B R B' F' L D R' @2026-03-17 18:18:13
2. (5.15) F' B2 U2 F2 R' D2 L B2 U2 R2 D' R2 D' B' U R B2 D2 @2026-03-18 18:29:55
3. 5.42 U L' D' B2 F2 U' B2 D B2 L2 D F2 R2 U' L' B2 D' L B D B2 @2026-03-18 18:30:29
4. 5.70 D' R2 D R2 U2 L2 B2 U' B2 L2 F' L2 B L' U B' F' L B2 D @2026-03-18 18:32:31
5. 5.32 R2 D L' D' L2 D R2 U' R2 U' F2 D R2 U F' L D B R2 D2 R' @2026-03-18 18:33:55
6. 5.69 R2 D' L2 B2 U2 B2 L' B2 R F2 U2 L2 R' B' R U' B F R D @2026-03-18 18:44:33
7. 5.90 D' L' B D L2 F2 D' R F U2 L2 U2 R2 F L2 F L2 D2 R2 L @2026-03-19 18:11:26
8. (7.22) F' R2 D2 R2 F' U2 B' R2 D2 R2 F2 R2 U L2 R' B2 L R2 F2 U' F @2026-03-19 18:17:58
9. 6.30 F L2 R2 U2 R2 U2 F2 L2 B' U2 F U2 L' B D2 L F' D' F' U R' @2026-03-19 18:19:26
10. 5.73 U L' B' D B' U R B2 L' R2 F2 L2 B2 U2 D R2 F2 U2 F2 L2 B2 @2026-03-19 18:23:36
11. 5.83 U2 F2 D' B L D2 F B' U B2 U' F2 U L2 U2 R2 L2 D' R @2026-03-19 18:24:36
12. 5.43 R' D' R B2 U' F2 B R L2 F2 B2 D' L2 B2 R2 B2 D2 L2 U @2026-03-19 18:27:33
10 out of 12 solves were sub-6
also I got a 12.31 OH average and 10.95 OH single with APB
Generated By csTimer on 2026-03-20 (solving from 2026-03-20 11:55:01 to 2026-03-20 12:05:12)
avg of 5: 12.31

Time List:
1. 11.25 B R' U2 F L2 F U2 F D2 U2 F2 L2 R2 F' U R' U' L D' L' U2 @2026-03-20 11:55:01
2. 11.43 D F' U' R2 U B2 F2 D B2 U L2 U F L' F U' B D2 @2026-03-20 12:00:16
3. (14.27) F R D' F2 L2 D' B2 L2 U2 L2 D' B2 U L' B' R2 D R' F U2 @2026-03-20 12:01:11
4. 14.25 F' L' D' R2 U R' F B U' F' L2 U2 B' U2 B' D2 F2 R2 L2 D2 B' @2026-03-20 12:01:39
5. (10.95) U' F L2 F D2 B2 L2 D2 F2 R2 D2 F D L' R D' F' D' B' R @2026-03-20 12:05:12
I forgot what the WB for APB OH was lol
it was 11.46
 
Last edited:
well that’s crazy (73 move solution😭💀💀)
Generated By csTimer on 2026-04-10
single: 7.07

Time List:
1. 7.07 L2 R2 U2 F2 U L2 F2 D B2 D L2 U2 F' R' F D2 F2 R' B' F' @2026-04-10 19:37:00
73 moves, 10.32 TPS (which I believe is one of my highest recorded TPS records)
I also used ZBLL twice today (both were 2GLLs)
Generated By csTimer on 2026-04-10
single: 5.65

Time List:
1. 5.65 F2 U2 L' U2 R2 D2 R' D2 B2 R2 B U F D' L F R2 F U @2026-04-10 19:14:06
but I forgot the other scramble, but I think it was like between 6.6 and 6.9
 
The Philippine Championships 2026 just got announced, and even though I don’t know if I’m going to go, I’m gonna grind anyway. I have three months since the championship is on July 9-12. Also I don’t wanna go on all four days so I’ll skip 4x4 for this comp. So here’s my plans:
3x3:
Current average: 6.8
Goal by July 1: 6.6
Plan: Basically I’ll just keep grinding cross+2 and my turning. I might learn full 2GLL as well.
2x2:
Current average: 1.8
Goal by July 1: 1.6
Plan: Learn some EG-2 and LEG-1 cases as suggested by @EvanCuber1
3x3 OH:
Current average: sub-16
Goal by July 1: Sub-14
Plan: I’m not sure whether to use CFOP or APB for this. I guess for the first two rounds i could use APB and then in the finals switch to APB. But i sort of want to be an APB purist as well so i don’t know. @AJT17 do you have some suggestions?
and for the mystery event (which replaces 4x4)… I’m going to compete in… SKEWB!!!!
Skewb:
Current average: 6-8 seconds
Goal by July 1: sub-4.5
Plan: Relearn some of Sarah’s Intermediate and then learn Sarah’s Advanced. I need to work on my layers as well. @CubeLite is this plan good?

i hope i don’t bomb the solves again
 
Caleb Valenzuela said:
3x3 OH:
Current average: sub-16
Goal by July 1: Sub-14
Plan: I’m not sure whether to use CFOP or APB for this. I guess for the first two rounds i could use APB and then in the finals switch to APB. But i sort of want to be an APB purist as well so i don’t know. @AJT17 do you have some suggestions?
Click to expand...
The only real advice I could give is if you want to use it, then just go for it. With your 3x3 speed, you can definitely outpace me if you keep up consistent practice. And even if you don't get as fast as you want, then I'm sure you could improve your CFOP times by quite a bit in a few weeks before the comp. I can still help you improve in the time leading up to it, though, and hopefully you can get your goal. I can also try to improve alongside you and get sub-14 as well, as long as I have time between comps.
 
Yann1qua12DagOat said:
How many hours of practise is this gonna be per day?!?!?
Also how much time for each event??
also I forgot what the difference between sarah's intermediate and advanced is?
Click to expand...
not sure how many hours, my goal is usually 1 hour but it might turn into like 15-30 mins (my parents don’t want me sitting down for too long). Also i’ll split the days of the week into different events, so like Monday could be 3x3 OH and Skewb, and then Tuesday maybe 3x3 and 2x2.
i also forgot the difference between sarah’s intermediate and advanced
 
ok that’s wild😭💀
Generated By csTimer on 2026-04-14 (solving from 2026-04-14 18:14:55 to 2026-04-14 18:19:00)
avg of 5: 4.36

Time List:
1. (3.01) R U R' L' U R L' B' U' @2026-04-14 18:14:55
2. (6.26) R U L R' B' U R B L' @2026-04-14 18:15:56
3. 5.56 U B' L B U L' R' L @2026-04-14 18:17:25
4. 3.15 U B' U R U R U L' U' @2026-04-14 18:17:43
5. 4.37 U' B L' U' R L' R B U' @2026-04-14 18:19:00

Generated By csTimer on 2026-04-14 (solving from 2026-04-14 11:52:31 to 2026-04-14 18:19:00)
avg of 12: 5.30

Time List:
1. 6.27 L U' B R L U R' L U @2026-04-14 11:52:31
2. (7.30) L' B' L U' B R' U' B @2026-04-14 11:53:17
3. 3.83 U' R' L R' B' U L' U' @2026-04-14 18:10:56
4. 4.59 L B' R' L' B' R B U @2026-04-14 18:11:13
5. 5.87 U' B' U' B U' L U B @2026-04-14 18:12:43
6. 6.62 B' U B R U' L' U' R' B' @2026-04-14 18:13:02
7. 6.48 R B L B' R' L U' L @2026-04-14 18:13:25
8. (3.01) R U R' L' U R L' B' U' @2026-04-14 18:14:55
9. 6.26 R U L R' B' U R B L' @2026-04-14 18:15:56
10. 5.56 U B' L B U L' R' L @2026-04-14 18:17:25
11. 3.15 U B' U R U R U L' U' @2026-04-14 18:17:43
12. 4.37 U' B L' U' R L' R B U' @2026-04-14 18:19:00

three second skewb solves in one session is crazy for me
also they had some good scrams
 
@CubeLite @Kivvi I dare you guys to try these scrams
Generated By csTimer on 2026-04-14
single: 3.83

Time List:
1. 3.83 U' R' L R' B' U L' U' @2026-04-14 18:10:57
one sledge into z perm
Generated By csTimer on 2026-04-14
single: 3.01

Time List:
1. 3.01 R U R' L' U R L' B' U' @2026-04-14 18:14:55


Generated By csTimer on 2026-04-14
single: 3.15

Time List:
1. 3.15 U B' U R U R U L' U' @2026-04-14 18:17:43
all of these are really spammable
 
Caleb Valenzuela said:
ok that’s wild😭💀
Generated By csTimer on 2026-04-14 (solving from 2026-04-14 18:14:55 to 2026-04-14 18:19:00)
avg of 5: 4.36

Time List:
1. (3.01) R U R' L' U R L' B' U' @2026-04-14 18:14:55
2. (6.26) R U L R' B' U R B L' @2026-04-14 18:15:56
3. 5.56 U B' L B U L' R' L @2026-04-14 18:17:25
4. 3.15 U B' U R U R U L' U' @2026-04-14 18:17:43
5. 4.37 U' B L' U' R L' R B U' @2026-04-14 18:19:00

Generated By csTimer on 2026-04-14 (solving from 2026-04-14 11:52:31 to 2026-04-14 18:19:00)
avg of 12: 5.30

Time List:
1. 6.27 L U' B R L U R' L U @2026-04-14 11:52:31
2. (7.30) L' B' L U' B R' U' B @2026-04-14 11:53:17
3. 3.83 U' R' L R' B' U L' U' @2026-04-14 18:10:56
4. 4.59 L B' R' L' B' R B U @2026-04-14 18:11:13
5. 5.87 U' B' U' B U' L U B @2026-04-14 18:12:43
6. 6.62 B' U B R U' L' U' R' B' @2026-04-14 18:13:02
7. 6.48 R B L B' R' L U' L @2026-04-14 18:13:25
8. (3.01) R U R' L' U R L' B' U' @2026-04-14 18:14:55
9. 6.26 R U L R' B' U R B L' @2026-04-14 18:15:56
10. 5.56 U B' L B U L' R' L @2026-04-14 18:17:25
11. 3.15 U B' U R U R U L' U' @2026-04-14 18:17:43
12. 4.37 U' B L' U' R L' R B U' @2026-04-14 18:19:00

three second skewb solves in one session is crazy for me
also they had some good scrams
Click to expand...
Thought this was 3x3 for a second😰
 
Caleb Valenzuela said:
ok that’s wild😭💀
Generated By csTimer on 2026-04-14 (solving from 2026-04-14 18:14:55 to 2026-04-14 18:19:00)
avg of 5: 4.36

Time List:
1. (3.01) R U R' L' U R L' B' U' @2026-04-14 18:14:55
2. (6.26) R U L R' B' U R B L' @2026-04-14 18:15:56
3. 5.56 U B' L B U L' R' L @2026-04-14 18:17:25
4. 3.15 U B' U R U R U L' U' @2026-04-14 18:17:43
5. 4.37 U' B L' U' R L' R B U' @2026-04-14 18:19:00

Generated By csTimer on 2026-04-14 (solving from 2026-04-14 11:52:31 to 2026-04-14 18:19:00)
avg of 12: 5.30

Time List:
1. 6.27 L U' B R L U R' L U @2026-04-14 11:52:31
2. (7.30) L' B' L U' B R' U' B @2026-04-14 11:53:17
3. 3.83 U' R' L R' B' U L' U' @2026-04-14 18:10:56
4. 4.59 L B' R' L' B' R B U @2026-04-14 18:11:13
5. 5.87 U' B' U' B U' L U B @2026-04-14 18:12:43
6. 6.62 B' U B R U' L' U' R' B' @2026-04-14 18:13:02
7. 6.48 R B L B' R' L U' L @2026-04-14 18:13:25
8. (3.01) R U R' L' U R L' B' U' @2026-04-14 18:14:55
9. 6.26 R U L R' B' U R B L' @2026-04-14 18:15:56
10. 5.56 U B' L B U L' R' L @2026-04-14 18:17:25
11. 3.15 U B' U R U R U L' U' @2026-04-14 18:17:43
12. 4.37 U' B L' U' R L' R B U' @2026-04-14 18:19:00

three second skewb solves in one session is crazy for me
also they had some good scrams
Click to expand...
bro I was finally faster than you in something lol, not for much longer though (my ao5 is 4.01…)
 
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